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Togo Struggles with a digital ID while actively surveilling citizens

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Togo Struggles with a digital ID while actively surveilling citizens

For four years Togo has been inching towards issuing a digital identity (ID) card. While there are indications that 2022 may be the year in which the west African country finally delivers the long-awaited digital ID, the road ahead remains uncertain. Challenges lie both in bureaucratic delays and citizens’ caginess about handing their data to a government with a penchant for surveilling citizens and shutting down digital communications.

The Togolese government announced the e-ID Togo project in 2018, but it was not until mid 2021 that the Ministry of the Digital Economy and Digital Transformation initiated efforts to recruit a communications consultant to devise an awareness campaign to precede the registration stage and a technology solutions service provider. The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore was awarded the system contract in December 2021.

According to the government, the e-ID project will simplify the process of updating the electoral register, facilitate access to public services and to credit, reduce fraud in the financial sector, and facilitate the targeting of social protection beneficiaries. Only 25% of the country’s population of eight million has a form of identification, with women less likely to have an identification document, which hinders their ability to open bank accounts, enrol children in school, benefit from health insurance, or get a mobile phone number. In recognition of the gaps in civil registration among citizens, the government set out to enrol citizens for e-ID even without proof of birth registration.

Togo passed Law No. 2019-014 relating to the protection of personal data in October 2019. In 2020, parliament passed Law No. 2020-009 relating to the biometric identification of natural persons, whose objective is to establish a system for identification and authentication of natural persons. The law aims to establish a “secure and reliable methodology” for obtaining, maintaining, storing and updating data on the identity of registered individuals. The law requires all citizens and residents in Togo to obtain a Unique Identification Number (NIU) by submitting their demographic and biometric data (Article 4). The biometric data specified for purposes of obtaining a NIU are photograph and / or facial recognition, fingerprints, and iris scan. The National Identification Agency (ANID) is mandated to collect biometric data for the NIU.

SIM Card Registration
In July 2021, a SIM card registration and limitation of subscriptions per individual and network campaign was launched by the telecommunications regulatory authority ARCEP, supported by leading telecom operators Moov Africa Togo and TogoCom. The SIM registration requirements include a national identity card or passport and collection of biometric and demographic data.

But this extensive collection of individuals’ personal data raises concerns for the safety of such data. These concerns are not unfounded and they partly arise from the state’s record on respect for digital rights, which have seen it order network disruptions and use malware to target opponents and dissidents.

State Surveillance
In 2020, lingering suspicions that the Togolese government was undertaking interceptions of communications gained credence when the Citizen Lab revealed that Israeli-made spyware Pegasus, supplied by the NSO Group, was used between April and May 2019 to target Togolese civil society, including a Catholic bishop and a priest, as well as two members of Togo’s political opposition. The surveillance reportedly coincided with nationwide pro-reform protests that were forcibly dispersed. The Togolese government did not respond to the allegations, which nonetheless sparked debate within Togolese media and civil society.

Further, in October 2021, Amnesty International research found that Togolese activists had been targeted with spyware by the Donot Team hacker group based in India – the  first time that Donot Team spyware was found in use outside of South Asia. According to the report, the activists’ devices were targeted between December 2019 and January 2020, during a tense political climate ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Network Disruptions

During the February 2020 elections, authorities disrupted access to messaging services (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram). Later that year, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice ruled that the 2017 internet shutdown in Togo was illegal and an affront on the right of freedom to expression.

According to Access Now, the court ordered the government of Togo to pay two million francs (USD 3,459) to the plaintiffs as compensation, and to take all the necessary measures to guarantee the implementation of safeguards with respect to the right to freedom of expression of the Togolese people.

Privacy and Data Protection

Togo’s laws provide safeguards against unlawful surveillance and unauthorised access to data whilst also granting authorities sweeping powers to violate privacy. Law No. 2012-018 on electronic communications provides for privacy of communications but article 92 empowers the Prime Minister, and the Ministers responsible for the economy and finance, defence, justice, and security and civil protection, to trigger the interception of communications and electronic content.

The biometrics identification law requires the National Identification Agency to encode and encrypt data on its registry and only allows access to authorised agents (article 10, 21 & 22). Violation of the obligation of non-disclosure of personal data, identity theft and unauthorised processing of personal data are punishable with fines ranging from one million to 10 million Central African Francs (USD 1,747 to 17,472), imprisonment between one and five years, or both.

Article 94 of Togo’s 2012 electronic communication law obliges encryption service providers to comply with lawful interception orders, with refusal to provide secret decryption codes to government agencies punishable with a fine of between USD 3,544 and USD 14,178. Cryptology services providers are required to retain for one year, content and data allowing the identification of anyone who has used their services, and to provide the technical means that enable the identification of those users. The service providers are required to avail this data, on request, to the investigating judge, Prime Minister, Minister for the Economy and Finance, the Minister of Defence, the Minister  of Justice, and the Minister of Security. The multiple officials who access data – similar to the various officials that can trigger the interception of communications – offers wide latitude for abuse of citizens’ data privacy rights.

Digital Exclusion
In the wake of Covid-19, Togo initiated a relief programme for vulnerable citizens whose livelihoods were affected by the state of emergency. As at March 2021, the programme, known as NOVISSI, had disbursed a total of 13.3 billion francs (USD 22 million) to 819,972 citizens via mobile money.

However, the programme was criticised for requiring applicants to possess a voter’s ID card. During the last electoral census, opposition parties called on the population to boycott the exercise, which meant that some citizens had not renewed their voter ID cards. There were also cases of unscrupulous individuals utilising the voter’s ID details of other citizens to fraudulently benefit from the programme. As a result, the government temporarily halted the program to allow for physical verification of beneficiaries at dedicated centres.

Way forward

Whereas the various sanctions within the existing legal framework might be a deterrent against unauthorised access to and misuse of personal data, there is wide latitude for state agencies and officials to access the data, which could be abused. This calls for a review of the provisions to ensure they uphold citizens’ right to privacy and data protection, with adequate oversight and redress mechanisms. Further, the e-ID should be rolled out in a manner that ensures agency and dignity, without enhancing exclusion and surveillance.

West Africa: Increase in FOE violations in last quarter of 2021

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West Africa: Increase in FOE violations in last quarter of 2021

Despite the fact that the recent military takeovers are yet to negatively impact the press freedom landscape as feared, West Africa recorded more than a 100% increase in freedom of expression (FOE) violations during the last quarter of 2021.

The MFWA’s monitoring of the FOE landscape recorded 28 violations in the last quarter (October-December) more than double the 12 violations recorded during the preceding quarter (July-September)

Thirteen violations were recorded in Nigeria which returned to its old repressive ways after posting a pleasant surprise with only two violations during the third quarter. Mauritania and Togo recorded three (3) violations each, with Benin, Ghana, Guinea, and Sierra Leone recording two each. Burkina Faso recorded one violation, but incidentally the most severe; a four-day disruption of internet on mobile devices on November 20.

While the number of violations recorded during the last quarter increased sharply compared to the preceding (third) quarter, the analysis show that the year ended on a less repressive note than it began, given that the first quarter (January-March) recorded a whopping 50 violations.

The October-December 2021 records also show that as of the end of the year, the feared crackdown on press freedom and restriction of the civic space following the military coups in Mali and Guinea had not been carried out.

However, about a couple of months after the coup in Guinea, some soldiers carried out a night-time raid on Djoma media group (Radio/Television), causing considerable commotion at the station which is owned by a close associate of overthrown President Alpha Conde.

About 80% of the violations were targeted at journalists and media houses. Unfortunately, these violations were perpetrated with near absolute impunity.

Read the full report here.

Zimbabwe: State of the Media 2021 report

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Zimbabwe: State of the Media 2021 report

MISA Zimbabwe has released its 2021 state of the media report which takes a look at the media landscape and operating environment with regards to freedom of expression, access to information, digital rights, media sustainability  and media freedom in Zimbabwe. Below is an excerpt from the report;

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, following a visit to Zimbabwe in 2019, noted in a subsequent report that Zimbabwe was suffering from political polarisation and poor governance.

The Special Rapporteur noted then, that civic space continued to deteriorate, re-establishing an environment of fear and persecution.

The UN Special Rapporteur’s report came on the backdrop of his visit to Zimbabwe on 17 – 27 September 2019 at the invitation of the Government. The purpose of the visit was to assess the exercise, promotion and protection of the rights under his mandate in a moment of transition following the adoption of the new Constitution in 2013 and the change of leadership in Zimbabwe.

He urged the government to take action to end corruption, and tellingly, to improve the human rights situation and ensure accountability and rule of law to encourage the lifting of “measures” imposed on Zimbabwe.

The Special Rapporteur recommended for the repeal of legislation that is inconsistent with the Constitution particularly that affecting the exercise of fundamental freedoms.

Burundi: AFEX welcomes the lifting of the ban on BBC

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Burundi: AFEX welcomes the lifting of the ban on BBC

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) welcomes the decision of the Burundi media regulator, the National Council of Communication (CNC), to lift the ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) services in the country and calls on the government to also lift also the sanction on Voice of America (VOA).

After almost three years of suspension of the BBC in Burundi, the CNC announced on March 30, 2022, that it has reached an agreement with the media outlet to lift the ban.

“We have decided to allow BBC Radio to reopen from today. The CNC had suspended BBC Radio for professional misconduct, and then on the recommendation of the President of the Republic Évariste Ndayishimiye; the CNC should sit down with the sanctioned media outlet to settle the problems once and for all,” said CNC president Vestine Mbundagu.

Both BBC and VOA, were suspended from broadcasting in the country on May 2019, following some critical publications on alleged incidents of human rights abuses under the late President Pierre Nkurunziza. The authorities accused the two international media houses of spreading falsehoods.

While the inauguration of the incumbent President was greeted with a glimmer of hope for press freedom, not much has changed in the media landscape, as the country is still ranked as not free by Freedom House. Several journalists have imposed self-censorship on critical issues, out of fear for their life, and retaliation.

On August 19 and 31, 2021, President Evariste Ndayishimiye, in a public address, verbally attacked Esdras Ndikumana, a journalist and correspondent of the French public international radio station, RFI over critical media reportage on COVID-19. He also verbally attacked another journalist, Antoine Kaburahe, founder of the privately-owned media, Iwacu.

Burundi has a notorious record of crackdowns on press freedom, with several journalists exiled following the foiled coup d’état attempt of 2015.

The authorities are yet to come up with any report of thorough investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jean Bigirmana in July 2016.

While AFEX welcomes the lifting of the ban imposed on BBC, we are, however, of the view that Burundian authorities must demonstrate more commitment by upholding and respecting press freedom and freedom of expression.

AFEX calls on Ethiopian authorities to drop all charges against journalists, repeal the country’s anti-terrorism law

Vivian
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AFEX calls on Ethiopian authorities to drop all charges against journalists, repeal the country’s anti-terrorism law

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) welcomes the release on bail of journalists Amir Aman Kiyaro and Thomas Enigda, and calls on the Ethiopian authorities to drop all charges against them.

Amir Aman Kiyaro and Thomas Enigda of the Associated Press were arrested on November 28, 2021, by Ethiopian security forces on terrorism charges.

The journalists were detained under Ethiopia’s Proclamation on Anti-Terrorism of August 2009. The security forces alleged that the journalists were promoting a terrorist group. That was the grounds for their arrest and illegal detention.

According to this Ethiopia Anti-Terrorist Law, if the journalists are found guilty, they risk up to 15 years of a prison sentence.

Following a suit filed by the legal counsel of the journalist, a court on March 29, 2022, granted Kiyaro and Enigda bail. But the fate of journalist Negera, is not clear.

AFEX condemns the arrest and illegal detention of the journalists, and all attempts to muzzle and intimidate journalists in Ethiopia.

Although Amir Aman Kiyaro and Thomas Enigda have been granted bail, they still may face the risk of further legal persecution if the Prosecutor proceeds to press charges against them. AFEX, therefore, calls on the authorities to drop all charges against the journalists, end the illegal, and arbitrary detention, and allow journalists to do their work free from fear and threats.

AFEX also urges the authorities to repeal the Anti-Terrorism Law, under which at least three journalists, Tamerat Negera, Dessu Dulla, and ONN reporter Bikila Amenu, are being detained.

Nigeria: IPC decries attacks on Journalists; Calls for immediate investigations

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Nigeria: IPC decries attacks on Journalists; Calls for immediate investigations

The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos-Nigeria is concerned about the recent attacks on two Abuja based journalists of Punch Newspapers; Amarachi Orjiude and Solomon Odeniyi.

Reports from the Punch Newspapers specified that Orjiude was picked up by kidnappers in Chika, Lugbe, around 12pm on Sunday while Odeniyi was robbed around 2am on Saturday in his Lugbe residence of Abuja.

Orjiude who faced death threats from the kidnappers was robbed of her money and phone, likewise, Odeniyi who was cut severally with a matchette by the robbers was also robbed of his phones, money and belongings.

IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement said that the state of insecurity in the Country has become extremely worrisome.

He added that in a country where press freedom is under attack, journalists and media workers now face the additional threats of kidnappings and robbery attacks.

He pleaded with security operatives and relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the criminal attacks, and prosecute the perpetrators for their crimes as a step to reducing the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, while concerted efforts should be taken to ensure that the stolen belongings are returned.

IPC therefore appeals to security operatives to escalate investigations into these crimes.

SGD:

Olutoyin Ayoade

Communications Officer, IPC

Uganda: Army officers arrest staff of television station

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Uganda: Army officers arrest staff of television station

Kampala, 11th March, 2022; Security officers attached to Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) on 10th March 2022 raided the Alternative DIGITALK TV an Online television and arrested  nine (9) of its staff.

Sources have told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that studio equipment such as cameras and computers were taken as well as the station’ mobile van.

The nine arrested staff include the Executive Director  Tumuhimbise Norman, Mukose Arnold (Programs Director), Faridah Bikobere (TV Host), Jeremiah Mukiibi (Producer), Tumusiime Kato (Production), Tulyahabwe Roger (Production), Nabukeera Teddy Teangle (Presenter), Lillian Luwedde (presenter) and Wabyona Jeje Jacob (Media  intern student from Uganda Christian University)

The reason for their arrest is not yet known. HRNJ-Uganda  spoke to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) Spokesperson Charles Twiine who denied any knowledge of the raid and arrest of the DIGITALK TV staff.  The army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye also denied being aware of the arrest, “I am not aware of such a thing. Is there any controversial programme they did recently? Kulayigye asked HRNJ-Uganda during an interview. The whereabouts of all the nine staff remains unknown after a long day of their search by the HRNJ-Uganda team.

Meanwhile, on the same day, twelve (12) plain clothed men presumed to be security operatives raided Vision Group Offices in Kampala for about three hours. It is alleged that the security operatives wanted to arrest Lawrence Kitatta, a Bukedde journalist for unknown reasons.

During an interface with the HRNJ-Uganda team Friday morning, Kitatta explained that he is in fear for his life since he does not know the motive of the said security personnel.

He revealed that his trouble started when he went to cover a protest staged by torture victims at the Deputy Speaker’s (Anita Among) residence in Kololo on 21st February 2022 where he was assaulted by security officers and his camera and laptop destroyed in the process. He noted that ever since he covered the protest, he has been receiving threats from unknown people.

He opened up a case of threating violence at Jinja Road Police Station vide GEF 14/2022 on 3rd March 2022.

“We condemn the act of security operatives raiding the DIGITALK Offices and subsequently arresting all the staff at the premises and detaining them incommunicado. The security should make public their whereabouts and produce them in court as soon as possible so that justice prevails. We also urge the Uganda Police Force to expeditiously investigate Kitatta’s case of threatening violence to bring the perpetrators to book.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda Executive Director, Robert Ssempala

MFWA, 15 other press freedom organisations petition President of Guinea Bissau to fight impunity

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MFWA, 15 other press freedom organisations petition President of Guinea Bissau to fight impunity

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and its partner press freedom organisations from fifteen West African countries have petitioned President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau to personally intervene to help improve press freedom environment in that country and combat impunity for crimes against journalists.

 

The petition was dated February 10, 2022, and was delivered physically and by mail to the President on February 15, 2022. The action followed a number of recent attacks on press freedom in Guinea Bissau, the highpoint of which was an armed attack on a radio station in the capital, Bissau on February 7, 2022. In the said incident, a group of men in military uniform raided the premises of the Bissau-based radio station, Radio Capital FM, and destroyed practically all equipment at the facility. The hooded attackers, most of them in military uniform, fired several shots in the studios and offices, forcing the terrified staff to flee. One of the victims of the attack, journalist Maimuna Bari, is in coma with severe rib and spine injuries.

 

The attack occurred hours after the station had broadcast a programme discussing the failed February 1, 2022 coup attempt and offered listeners the opportunity to comment on the fatal incident. Another group of armed officers later attacked the home of one of the panelists of that programme, Rui Landim.

 

The petitioners expressed deep concern about the involvement of security personnel in the attacks and asked the President to personally ensure that the attacks are thoroughly investigated and justice served.

 

The 16 organisations also condemned the January 1, 2022 coup attempt in Guinea Bissau. “We are firm in a conviction that what is needed for the development of Guinea Bissau and its people is a thriving, sustainable democracy in which the fundamental rights of people are respected and protected. We, therefore, will, under no circumstances endorse a military takeover of governance,” the petitioners affirmed.

 

Among other requests, the petitioners urged President Sissoco Embalo to ensure that Radio Capital is offered every support necessary for it to resume broadcasting as soon as possible and to beef up security presence at the radio station to ensure adequate protection for the media organisation and its staff.

Read the full petition here

Statement on the recently reported internet throttling in Zimbabwe

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Statement on the recently reported internet throttling in Zimbabwe

Internet access should be guaranteed at all times and most importantly during election periods such as the by-elections slated for 26 March 2022 in Zimbabwe.

NetBlocks, an internet usage watchdog, on 20 February 2022 reported that there was internet throttling in Zimbabwe which limited live-streaming and access to online content.

While there has not been any official communication from Internet Service Providers on the cause of the restricted access, several internet users in Zimbabwe said they had challenges accessing the internet on that day.

This happened on the day the recently launched opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, held its star rally in Highfield, Harare. The ruling Zanu PF also had a similar rally in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province, on the same day and ahead of the March by-elections.

Service was degraded for users receiving internet access from service providers such as ZOL, Telecel Zimbabwe, NetOne Cellular, Liquid Telecom, TelOne and Utande.

In Zimbabwe, the internet has been throttled before as experienced during the total internet shutdown in 2019.

Trends in Africa, as was noted recently in Nigeria, Tanzania, Eswatini, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Uganda, show that governments tend to restrict access to the internet or access to specific online platforms during elections.

MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, urges the authorities in Zimbabwe, including the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services and the regulator, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to jealously guard the openness of the internet and improve the quality of service.

The revised African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, clearly states the need to promote access,  security, stability and resilience of the internet.

This will enable the exercise of other fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, media freedom and access to information which are constitutional rights in Zimbabwe.

States also have obligations to protect the same rights in terms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

This will also be in line with implementation of the recommendations proffered to Zimbabwe during the recent 40th Session of the Universal Periodic Review that the same rights protected offline, should equally be protected online.

Further, in this election season, it should be noted that internet access is critical for access to election-related information which is crucial in enabling Zimbabwean citizens to exercise their political rights and make informed decisions and choices.

In that regard, any alleged restrictions on the internet will therefore impact on the freeness and fairness of the nature of elections in Zimbabwe.

AFEX condemns South Sudan clashes, calls on authorities to promote the safety of journalists

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AFEX condemns South Sudan clashes, calls on authorities to promote the safety of journalists

On February 10 and 11, 2022, a team from the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), a member of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) network, was caught up in a bloody armed conflict that nearly resulted in their death.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), condemns the violent clashes between the Agok and Abyei communities, in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State, some 800 kilometers from the capital, Juba, and urges that the South Sudan authorities ensure the protection and safety of journalists and media defense organisations in the country.

The AMDISS team led by Michael Duku, was in the area to deliver capacity building training to the media and journalists when they were caught in the crossfire during the bloody clashes.

According to media reports, the conflict erupted between youths from neighboring Twic County of Warrap State over ownership of the Aneet market located between Twic and Abyei areas. Six persons were reported killed, and several others injured.

Narrating his ordeal, AMDISS Executive Director, Michael Duku said that his team was trapped in the conflict zone and had to take refuge until they were rescued by the United Nations Forces, called UNHAS stationed in Abyei. The victims were seized with panic and trauma.

”It started as skirmishes nearby, but little did we know that it could suddenly develop into a serious armed conflict where houses and markets were razed down, people were killed and heavy artillery fired. We got ourselves caught up in that situation but thank God the UN rescued us later and evacuated us to Juba, said Duku to an IFEX staff.

The ill-fated incident that happened to Duku and his team, is not, however, an isolated case. It underlines the difficult and insecure sociopolitical context in which media and journalists find themselves while carrying out the work of public information in South Sudan.

South Sudan has a volatile security environment and the country is engulfed in lingering instability, as it tries to recover from a devastating civil war, amidst frequent inter-communal clashes.

In an unrelated incident that happened on the same February 10, thousands of miles from South Sudan, the head of another IFEX member organisation was harassed by security forces. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, in Nigeria, was unlawfully detained and harassed by the State Security Service (SSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Lagos. Arogundade had returned from Banjul, The Gambia where he had delivered training to journalists. The security agencies detained and interrogated him for two hours about his work.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) condemns any armed conflict and the one that nearly took the life of the AMDISS team.

We call on the authorities of South Sudan to ensure the safety of journalists and media organisations that are working to strengthen the capacity of the media and journalists in South Sudan.

This call is important in view of the vital role of the media in the transitional process in the country, and in the consolidation of peace and democracy in the country.

Radio presenter risks losing hearing after brutal police assault

Frederick
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Radio presenter risks losing hearing after brutal police assault

A group of police officers on February 3, 2022, brutally assaulted Eric Nana Gyetuah, a radio presenter with Connect FM based in Takoradi, capital of the Western Region of Ghana, leaving him with a damaged eardrum.

The victim, who is also the producer of Connect FM’s morning show, had gone to eat lunch at a local restaurant at Pipe Ano, a suburb of Takoradi when a group of armed men in plainclothes came in together with some suspects in handcuffs. The scene frightened some of the people in the restaurants with a few leaving in panic. The suspects who managed to eat while still in handcuffs went out ahead of the escorting security officers.

Intrigued by what had attracted a lot of curious eyes, Nana Gyetuah started filming the suspects from a discreet distance and location at the car park. He was in the process of filming when one of the security officers accosted him and asked him to surrender his phone.

“I refused his request because I did not know what he wanted to do with the phone. Then he started assaulting me before calling his colleagues to join in the assault,” Gyetua narrated to the MFWA.

The victim eventually surrendered the phone after enduring a blitz of kicks, slaps, and smashes with the butt of the gun. The police then threw their bleeding victim into the bucket of one of their pick-up vehicles and drove him away to the Police station.

The assault left Gyetua with a bloated face and tattered clothes with some discharges dripping from his ears.

The police accused Gyetua of unlawfully taking pictures of the suspects and pressed public order charges against him. He was detained for four hours before being released on bail after the intervention of the Management of Connect FM.

The presenter received treatment at the Effia Nkwanta Hospital in Takoradi with a medical form issued by the police. Doctors at the regional hospital referred him for specialist treatment at a medical facility in Accra. Gyetua told the MFWA doctors fear he could lose the use of his right ear as the eardrum has been affected.

Meanwhile, the radio presenter says from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Akuffo Dampare has called to sympathise with him and assure him of a thorough investigation into the matter. Following this, The Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB), ACP Ms Lydia Yaako Donkor, got in touch with the journalist and directed him to the PPSB of Western Regional Police. He was invited to write a statement on February 12, but decided, upon his lawyer’s advice, to pick the form and return the completed form later.

 This is the second time in three months that a presenter at Connect FM has had trouble with the police. On November 1, the host of the station’s morning show, Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson was detained on charges of causing fear and alarm. This was after a listener called into the morning show and made a claim (which was later found to be false) that his girlfriend had been kidnapped.

The Media Foundation for West Africa condemns the brutal police assault on Nana Jetuah and urges the IGP to ensure that his promise to get the matter investigated is fulfilled with justice done. We are appalled at this umpteenth police abuse of a journalist for filming their activities. Unless they obstruct police operations, journalists and citizens break no law in filming police operations carried out in public. The police authorities must therefore call their officers to order in that regard.

AFEX demands more capacity building for radio stations to deliver credible information

Frederick
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AFEX demands more capacity building for radio stations to deliver credible information

Today, the world is observing the 11th Celebration of World Radio Day. The event was initially proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO, and a year after, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD).

On this important occasion which is being celebrated under the theme: ‘’Radio and Trust,’’ the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) Network, takes the opportunity to highlight the importance of radio, as a trusted source of information in Africa, particularly in this era of disinformation.

As of May 2021, the African population was estimated at around 1.37 billion people, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt being the most populated countries. According to a study conducted by Kantar, 62% of people surveyed in eight countries across Sub-Saharan Africa spent time listening to the radio for 2 hours 09 minutes a day.

When it comes to trusted sources of information, radio emerged as the most trusted source of information in Africa.

When the COVID-19 pandemic erupted and most countries in Africa imposed restrictions, which among others, limited the free movement of people, a chunk of the population, particularly those living in rural areas, where access to digital devices are limited, found a trusted companion in radio to access information and make informed decisions about the pandemic.

For millions of these people, the only source of credible and reliable information was radio.

”Radio goes where newer technologies cannot. It is an extremely effective way of delivering information in rural and remote areas where information can educate, and even save lives in emergencies such as the current pandemic. Listeners are tuning into radio stations to receive the latest news and recommendations on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  As radio is more affordable than other forms of technologies, together with the growth of community radio, information and culture become more accessible to all”, read a statement of ITU, the UN Specialised agency for ICTs.

Despite, the increasing penetration of digital media platforms on the African continent, with massive use of digitally-enabled devices such as smartphones, radio is still enthroned as the widest source of information in Africa, with the largest possible outreach.

But, with the increasingly widespread phenomenon of what is termed as ‘’infodemic’’, the challenge of staying relevant and trustworthy has become extremely keen among the media including radio. The plethora of information circulating by the minute, some of them contradictory, has created a credibility challenge for the media. While the phenomenon of the proliferation of fake news appears to have shaken the foundation of trust in the industry and undermined the media’s constitutional mandate to serve as of counter-check to power and demand transparency and accountability from duty bearers.

But it is a challenge that radio has largely lived up to mainly due to its proximity with its community, the use of local language, the opportunity it offers its audience to participate in discussions through phone-ins and its ability to break literacy barriers.   

Mr. Edetaen Ojo, the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) in Nigeria and Chair of the AFEX Steering Committee, said: “Despite advances in information and communication technologies, the radio, in its different forms, remains a trusted and most accessible medium of communication for millions of people on the African continent and beyond, giving them a voice and serving as a veritable source of information.  It is therefore imperative that Governments and other stakeholders continue to preserve and strengthen the radio to play its many different roles in society through technological development, appropriate regulatory frameworks, public awareness activities and the injection of necessary resources for sustaining its operation.”

On this occasion of World Radio Day, therefore, AFEX celebrates the invaluable role radio has played to enrich lives by highlighting development challenges for redress, educating the public about their rights and responsibilities, calling duty bearers to account and enlightening and informing the public, especially during emergencies like the COVID-19.

In this regard, we call on the governments across the continent to strengthen the capacities of media workers, particularly radio stations to enable them deliver credible information to the public.

We also demand that governments desist from the alibi of trusted information by hiding behind the fight against fake news, to adopt repressive legislation and policies that stifle the media.

Lastly, governments should ensure that the issuance of FM frequencies is done in a transparent manner and in a way that enables all shades of opinions, cultures, and interests to give effect to the right of citizens to access to information.

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AFEX is a continental network of some of the most prominent African freedom of expression and media rights advocacy organisations that are also members of IFEX, a global free expression network.

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